Recent developments in micrometeoroid simulation

In the first part the state of the art of the most advanced micrometeoroid simulation techniques is reviewed. Then a new accelerator is described, which was developed jointly by the Technische Universität München and the N.A.S.A. George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. Finally the use of this new technique is indicated for basic research in fields other than astronautics.     

角分集ISAR高分辨成像

对不同视角雷达回波进行融合可以形成大的相干积累角,显著增强雷达空间监控能力。给出一种角分集(制)信号融合成像方法,对于角分集(制)回波方位向存在大的间隔,首先将每一距离单元方位向有效稀疏孔径数据排列组合成一Hankel矩阵,由参数化方法估计一维信号参数,再由估计得到的参数对空缺部分预测填补,对每个距离单元横向补全后,压缩得到二维图像。该方法克服了以往预测方法的不足,能有效用于方位向稀疏孔径预测外推,最终仿真与实际数据处理结果证实结论。     

分集接收机鉴相算法研究与设计

从介绍分集接收机的基本工作原理入手,着重论述分集接收机中差模环的两种鉴相算法,并给出两种算法在使用FPGA实现时的资源占用情况,最后介绍了两种算法在实际工程中的应用。     

High-Sensitivity Quartz Accelerometer for Measurements of Small Accelerations of Spacecraft

A quartz sensor of small accelerations with a capacitive transducer is designed and produced, allowing one to measure spacecraft accelerations with a resolution of 10^–7 m/s² in the range ±10^–1 m/s². The results of calibration of the sensor by the method of inclinations are presented.     

风云2号静止气象卫星工程简介

气象卫星是对地球及其大气层进行气象观测的遥感卫星。气象卫星按轨道不同，分为太阳同步轨道气象卫星和地球静止轨道气象卫星。太阳同步轨道卫星可以获得全球气象信息，如我国的风云（FY）1号气象卫星：地球静止轨道气象卫星可以对目标区域进行连续气象观测，如我国的风云2号气象卫星。两种类型的气象卫星相互补充、协同观测。目前除中国外，美国、俄罗斯、欧洲、日本和印度都先后发射了气象卫星。     

Collision Risk Mitigation in Geostationary Orbit

The short- and long-term effects of spacecraft explosions, as a function of the end-of-life re-orbit altitude above the geostationary orbit (GEO), were analyzed in terms of their additional contribution to the debris flux in the GEO ring. The simulated debris clouds were propagated for 72yrs, taking into account all the relevant orbital perturbations.The results obtained show that 6–7 additional explosions in GEO would be sufficient, in the long term, to double the current collision risk with sizable objects in GEO. Unfortunately, even if spacecraft were to re-orbit between 300 and 500km above GEO, this would not significantly improve the situation. In fact, an altitude increase of at least 2000km would have to be adopted to reduce by one order of magnitude the long-term risk of collision among geostationary satellites and explosion fragments. The optimal debris mitigation strategy should be a compromise between the reliability and effectiveness of spacecraft end-of-life passivation, the re-orbit altitude and the acceptable debris background in the GEO ring. However, for as long as the re-orbit altitudes currently used are less than 500km above GEO, new spacecraft explosions must be avoided in order to preserve the geostationary environment over the long term.     

Microgravity effects on water supply and substrate properties in porous matrix root support systems.

The control of water content and water movement in granular substrate-based plant root systems in microgravity is a complex problem. Improper water and oxygen delivery to plant roots has delayed studies of the effects of microgravity on plant development and the use of plants in physical and mental life support systems. Our international effort (USA, Russia and Bulgaria) has upgraded the plant growth facilities on the Mir Orbital Station (OS) and used them to study the full life cycle of plants. The Bulgarian-Russian-developed Svet Space Greenhouse (SG) system was upgraded on the Mir OS in 1996. The US developed Gas Exchange Measurement System (GEMS) greatly extends the range of environmental parameters monitored. The Svet-GEMS complex was used to grow a fully developed wheat crop during 1996. The growth rate and development of these plants compared well with earth grown plants indicating that the root zone water and oxygen stresses that have limited plant development in previous long-duration experiments have been overcome. However, management of the root environment during this experiment involved several significant changes in control settings as the relationship between the water delivery system, water status sensors, and the substrate changed during the growth cycles.     

涨落、协同、竞争及启示

运动的破缺产生差异，导致涨落，造成对系统原有方向、轨道的偏离，致使事物发展与进化，由此带来一系列富有生机和活力的启示。作为系统内在机制的协同与竞争，也深深地楔人了我们的生活。     

Planetary preservation: the need for legal provision

The Earth has been hit by NEOs many times in its history and there is always a risk that this will happen again. While we are beginning to acquire the technology that could warn of and divert a future collision, the legal instruments needed to facilitate a global response to the problem are lacking, especially given that the most likely means of diverting a NEO would involve nuclear weapons that could also be used on Earth. An analysis of the current legal situation is used to support the argument that new rules must be created. The author also discusses US Air Force policy on the subject and whether planetary defense is consistent with its goal of achieving and sustaining US superiority in space.     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994–1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.